Lorena Ochoa held the top rank in women's professional golf for 158 consecutive weeks, establishing an LPGA Tour record that solidified her status as Mexico's preeminent golfer. Retiring at 28 in 2010, she concluded a career defined by rapid progression from a Guadalajara youth standout to a dominant force in the global sport.
Early Development in Guadalajara
Born in 1981, Ochoa grew up in Guadalajara as the third of four children. She began playing golf at age five and secured her first state victory by age six. At 11, she approached professional Rafael Alarcon at the Guadalajara Country Club, stating her intent to become the best player in the world. As a junior competitor, she won 22 state events and 44 national events, alongside five consecutive Junior World Golf Championships.
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Enrolling at the University of Arizona in 2000 on a golf scholarship, Ochoa quickly set records within the NCAA. She won the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Player of the Year awards and set a scoring record of 70.13 during her sophomore season. Her collegiate career included eight tournament wins in ten events, marked by a streak of seven consecutive victories. In 2001, Mexican President Vicente Fox presented her with the National Sports Award, making her the youngest recipient at that time.
LPGA Tour Career and Records
After turning professional in 2002, Ochoa topped the Futures Tour money list to earn her 2003 LPGA Tour membership. She claimed her first LPGA titles in 2004 at the Franklin American Mortgage Championship and the Wachovia LPGA Classic. In 2006, she tied the record for the lowest score in a major tournament with a 62 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. By 2007, she overtook Annika Sörenstam for the world number one ranking and became the first woman to earn over $4,000,000 in a single season.
Major Titles and Retirement
Ochoa captured her first major at the 2007 Women's British Open at St Andrews. Her second major win followed at the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship. During her final active years, she hosted the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at her home club in Guadalajara to support her charitable foundation. She retired on 2 May 2010 after the Tres Marias Championship. The World Golf Hall of Fame inducted her in 2017, acknowledging her role as the first Mexican golfer to reach the world number one ranking.
Fast facts
- Born: 1981, Guadalajara
- Professional debut: 2002
- Retirement date: 2 May 2010
- World number one streak: 158 weeks
- 2006 Associated Press Athlete of the Year
- 2007 Associated Press Athlete of the Year
- World Golf Hall of Fame induction: 2017
- Alma mater: University of Arizona
Questions readers ask
How many weeks was Lorena Ochoa ranked number one?
She held the top ranking for 158 consecutive weeks from April 2007 until her retirement in May 2010.
Which major championships did she win?
She won the 2007 Women's British Open and the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
